A Message for Parents and Students

Open House: A Celebration of Learning is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th from 6:15 to 7:45. It will be a busy night, so I will not be able to stay in my classroom the entire evening. Here is my schedule:


5:15 - 6:15: Appointments
6:15 - 6:40: Spaghetti Dinner (Cafeteria)
6:40 - 6:55: Yearbook table (outside the Student Bank/Moor Market)
7:00 - 7:20: Open Classroom (C224)
7:25 - 7:45: AP/Honors Night (Career Center)


If I don't get a chance to speak to you personally that night, here is a description of what to expect from this class for the rest of the year and some advice about how to succeed in English!

English 3/4H (10th grade Honors English):

Ms. Naylor's Period 3.

Semester Two FAQ:

Q: What are you studying now?

A: We are currently reading A Tale of Two Cities and Fahrenheit 451. For more information about these works, helpful links, handouts, etc. See my PREVIOUS POST. Students should also be reading their third outside read, which is due on March 14.

Q: What works will you be studying for the rest of the semester?

A: After Spring Break we will read Shakespeare's MacBeth, Gulliver's Travels, and another supplemental selection. We will also cover satire, rhetoric, and complete and outside reading project.

Q: Is there any extra credit available?

I do not offer extra credit. Occasionally you may earn a few points on a quiz or by going to a free school-sponsored event, etc.

Q: Do you accept late work?

Late work is not accepted, except in the case of an excused absence. See the ENGLISH 3/4H COURSE SYLLABUS for more information on this policy.

Q: What can I do to improve my grade in English?

A: Keep the following things in mind if you want to do well in English:

• Come to class on time. If you are often tardy or absent, you will miss important instruction time.
• Be prepared every day (bring your book, packets, pen, etc.).
• If you are absent, bring a note and speak to me about what you missed. It is also a good idea to get the phone number and/or email of one of your classmates who can keep you informed on what you missed.
• Ask questions whenever there is something you do not understand. You can ask during, before, or after class.
• Participation in class discussion is essential and required for all honors students.
• Check your grades regularly at family.ausd.us
• Tutoring and help with essays is available (usually at lunch) by request. See me. If you keep getting the same grade on an essay it is a good idea to come and see me about it!
• Take notes/annotations when you read. Deep analysis of the text is required in this class and will prepare you for the future. You need to "read with your mind" not just with your eyes.
• Study! Sparknotes.com is a good website to use when reviewing for a test or essay on a novel or play. Our class website (this one) has links to grammar and vocabulary websites, etc.

Q: What do I do if I have a question about grades?

A: You should check your grades regularly at family.ausd.us - as soon as something is graded it shows up there. If you click on your grade for English, a detailed list of assignments and scores will pop up. Any score that looks like this: --/10 is for an assignment that has not been entered yet. A score of zero (for example: 0/10) means you did not turn in the assignment (it could also mean you turned it in late and the new grade has not been entered yet). I do not give zeros if you turn in the work - zeros are only for work that is missing.

Essays take at least a week to grade; it is a long and careful process. All essays that are turned in on time will be marked in the grade book with a checkmark until the grade is entered. Missing essays will be marked with a zero until the essay is turned in.

If you cannot check your grades online, you are welcome to see me before or after class and I can look up your grades for all of your classes. Please ask nicely!

Q: Should I take AP Language next year?

A: Yes! This class is preparing you to go into AP Lang. However, if you are getting a C or below in this class or if your schedule includes more than one other AP or Honors class next year, you may want to reconsider. Talk to Ms. Padilla in D207 for more information.

Q: What if I have another question that has not been answered here?

A: For other questions about our class, please refer to the COURSE SYLLABUS or contact me (email is the fastest way to reach me). My email address is listed on the syllabus.

Thank you!

Ms. Naylor